Moving On, But Still Holding On

Things have been bleak for a while now. Things are looking and feeling pretty low. Most of us have been forced to leave this lifestyle and move on, yet we’re all still holding on.

We’re holding on to better days to come. We’re holding on to hope that things will turn around some day. We’re holding on to what we once had, what we have, and what we will have in the days to come. That’s what we do, because that’s what we’ve always done.

Never in my life have I encountered women with such strength, determination, devotion, love, and loyalty for their men and this industry. I am honored and humbled to have been (and always will be) an oilfield wife. Over the years we have vented and complained, loved and lost, and laughed and cried. We’ve overcome the same hurdles over and over again with dignity and grace that other women could only hope to possess. No one understood us the way we understood each other, and I’m blessed to have been a part of that support.

Though we haven’t met in person, we’ve all connected in a way that only oilfield wives can. Real Oilfield Wives gave us all a place to come celebrate and cry alike. We’ve all shared a bit of ourselves though this website we love. We come with questions, concerns, triumphs, and advice. We’ve worked to build each other up and we’ve held each other up through the darkest of days. After all, we were there for each other when our partners couldn’t be. We held it all together, together.

We’re not saying good-bye, we’re saying ‘see you later’. We don’t know what our futures hold, but we know with the strength we’ve found and the lessons we’ve learned we’ll be okay. No matter where you are in this oilfield journey, we’re thankful to have known you. Whether you’re still holding on and strong, or moving on and scared, know that you aren’t alone and that someone else out there knows exactly how you feel.

If there is one thing I’ve learned it is that this will never be over. This life will always be a part of me. It became who I was, and will always be a little of who I am. I’ve been too reformed by the oilfield to ever look back now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was us, it was real, and it always will be.

Ashley and her husband, Ryan, have been married for 4 years. They became an oilfield family in March of 2011. They live in Northeastern Pennsylvania with their 2 year old daughter, Anistyn, and two fur-children: Kora (the manic Australian Cattle Dog) and Jaxx (your typical lazy house cat). Ashley traded in her various degrees and certifications to take on her ultimate dream job of fulltime mommy and wife. When not throwing over-the-top toddler dance parties and reading the same storybook 104 times in a row she enjoys reading her own books, baking, writing, meeting new friends, trying new things, and saving every animal in need on the planet!